I know Twisp and Winthrop were both evacuated for a time, but beyond that, I'm wondering if any local brewers were hurt by the wildfires of this summer? Any comments/thoughts?
I kinda figured if it had been otherwise somebody would have mentioned it, but good to know. Old Schoolhouse seems to have stopped distributing around Spokane. Several of my usual bottleshop haunts haven't had anything from them for a while. I kinda got a bug in my behind to buy some of their beers earlier this summer and couldn't find any.
I know that last year, when Winthrop lost electricity due to fires, that OSB brought in a huge generator to keep the brewery powered and let some neighboring businesses tap into it. A restaurant could take a huge hit if all their refrigerators and freezers lose power. Didn't hear if they did the same this year. I don't recall seeing as OSB on the shelves around here lately either. Not sure if that has to do fires or the fact that the brewery is for sale, and maybe they don't want to put the effort into getting bottles out.
Thought I read something that, similar to RR's reasoning for pulling back distribution, they were selling more through the brewpub (presumably at a better margin). Hearing that the brewery for sale, though, muddies the waters. Unless the difference in profit from a 22oz sold in Winthrop vs. Seattle, Spokane, Bellingham, etc. is massive, one would think those accounts in other cities/states would create a more attractive and valuable business at time of sale.
Just swung through the Food Coop this morning to check things out, and happened to see the beer buyer (fresh hop Cowiche Mosaic lands tomorrow!), and while chatting noticed some OSB bottles on the shelf. Asked him if he was having trouble getting them. He said sort of, because the distributor they're with up here is somewhat erratic. Add in the fact that Haggens hasn't been paying their bills, and maybe it's not worth it for the distributor to send a truck up here with any regularity. Shrug. Grains of salt and all that.
I happen to work with the wife of a guy who works for OSB's Seattle area distributor. I talked with him for a bit on Sunday at a kid's birthday party. I guess they're having a hard time getting product to Seattle due to the fires, but it's improving. We should be seeing fresh hop bottles soon.
